Memorial Day in the U.S. is a day of honoring ancestors. For many of us it has not been too many generations since these ancestors were immigrants from faraway places, having left the known for the unknown. These were lives of struggle, sacrifice and many new starts before getting established. These frontier spirits were really exceptional souls, willing to risk so much for a new life, both for themselves and their future progeny.
On this Memorial Day vintage cemeteries all over the country will have carpets of flowers spread over resting sites of honored ones; stories will be told, quiet memories will bring solemnity, laughter and sometimes tears. In a world that seems to be always looking forward, today is a time of looking back with love and gratitude.
We are all the products of generations of hopeful lives that brought new generations into life. Today, much is made of dysfunctional families, but by and large families had to be somewhat functional to survive at all. Yes, every family has challenges and patterns that have been destructive, but we also inherit positive qualities as well; this should not be overlooked.
The Ten Commandments tell us to honor both father and mother, for it is in gratitude to these souls that we acknowledge that we have the opportunity for this present incarnation. Our parents made possible our very survival when young, they gave us much of the strength we have, and so many mannerisms and habits are linked to these headwaters from which we have sprung. Even if we are not standing in front of a headstone, we can silently offer flowers of prayerful thankfulness for the good we have received. And then looking forward, be determined to add even greater strength and awareness for ourselves and for future generations.
As a spiritual aspirant I also look back to the source of grace that has blessed my life. I offer flowers of my devotion with all love and gratitude as I bow to the feet of my Guru-lineage, as well as realized saints and sages around the world. These valiant souls left known lands to explore vast new realms of spiritual consciousness. These intrepid pioneers gave everything of what they were for this quest, and then went on to produce spiritual progeny to help guide future generations of realized souls.
Each of us have a human heritage, and aspirants for truth have a spiritual heritage as well. Today is a day for giving honor to our human parentage and for our spiritual heritage of Guru, Parama-Guru, and Parampara Gurus (great grandfather Gurus). In silent gratitude I bow at your feet with all love and humility. Continue to bless our lives as I give the flowers of my devotion to you forevermore.
